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The Start a Conversation campaign

A website gives people information on where to get help in a crisis and how to maintain good mental health.

It also describes how to support others in need.

Councillor Pam Posnett, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for health, Leicester deputy city mayor, Cllr Adam Clarke, and Nick Rushton, Leicestershire County Council leader (Image: Leicestershire County Council)

The campaign is a joint venture led by Leicestershire County Council and involving district councils, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire Police and the NHS.

Leicestershire County Council leader Nick Rushton said: “Death from suicide has devastating consequences for family, friends and colleagues.

“We want to make sure residents and communities are aware of the warning signs of suicidal behaviour and have an open and honest approach to conversations.

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“There are many people who have been directly affected by death from suicide; when I was 21 my cousin died as a result of suicide.

“I remember how badly his parents, and my grandparents in particular, were affected by what happened.

“It sent ripples through the family and his friends and, although it was a long time ago, I still remember the impact of his death now.

Coun Rushton described the campaign launch as "the start of a journey".

"We will use the website as a platform to continually strengthen our collective efforts to improve the mental health and well being of local people, to reach out to those who need our help and support and to reduce the risk and burden of suicide in our local communities," he added.

Councillor Pam Posnett, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for health, Mike Sandys, Leicestershire County Council director of public health, Nick Rushton, Leicestershire County Council leader, and Cllr Adam Clarke, Leicester deputy city mayor (Image: Leicestershire County Council)

“If there are 80 suicides a year, and if every suicide affects 20 people, that’s 1,600 people.

“Then, if there are two or three hundred attempted suicides that’s potentially four or five thousand people that we could be helping with this service.”

People and businesses can also support the campaign by making pledges to highlight the steps they will take to help tackle suicide and the issues surrounding it.

If you need help...

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.

Childline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information depressionalliance.org

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org

The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029 ) helps people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis. You can call them between 8pm and 6am every night. There are other depression charities.

Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying. www.Bullying.co.uk